OBITUARY

Virginia "Ginny" Jones

July 7, 1938 – December 17, 2011

Virginia “Ginny” Mae (Rodd) Jones

Virginia was born in her parent’s home in Temperance, MI on July 7, 1938. She was preceded in death, by her parents, Helen Gertrude (Vance) and Clarence Albert Rodd, and granddaughter, Renae Anne Colby. She is survived by her brother, Roy Clarence Rodd born 7-7-34, residing in Jonesville, MI.

Ginny graduated from Mason High School and attended Lansing Community College and Michigan State University with a BA English major and a minor in Secondary Education and Music. She was certified to teach secondary school.
Ginny moved to DeWitt and married Harry (Doc) Gene Colby in 1956 and had one child, Daniel (Sandra) Colby of Milford, NH.
In 1962she married Jack Stenberg and had Jon (Carolyn) Stenberg, and Michael (Jamie) Stenberg. She then married Loren Jones in 1979 and taught second grade for a time, well as substitute taught in schools in the Lansing area.
In 1988, Virginia graduated from paralegal school and worked in a Lansing law office.

For the past six years, Ginny was solely a music teacher. She had students ranging from children to adults. Many students received first prize in several recitals competitions. In 2001, she was awarded “Teacher of the Year” by the Michigan Music Teachers Association. On May 15, 2009, the Michigan Federation of Music Clubs honored and recognized her with a Certificate of Appreciation for faithful service to their organization for 25 years.

Ginny was a member of the Central Free Methodist Church in Lansing, where she played piano and was a praise band member/organist for the Haitian church for 5 years. She was also a member of the Redeemer Methodist Church in DeWitt, and was involved in teaching Sunday school and Bible Study Groups.

Virginia had a love for her Boston Terriers: Pepper, Sparkle, Samson and Charlie. Their antics gave her several years of joy and fun conversations with friends and family alike. Her terriers made many trips with her through the years. They were her traveling companions when she went to New Hampshire and Connecticut to visit her family there, as well as various other trips to “parts unknown”.

One of Ginny’s great qualities has been her ability to make friends with ease. She had an avid interest in people, in their cultures and celebrated the differences and likenesses of each. Ginny traveled to JuJu Island of the mainland of South Korea, She had a “grandmother” relationship with Su Han, her surrogate granddaughter and was adopted by the family of Chang Heub Lee(father) Nissan (mother), son Ek Han and daughter Su Han.

Ginny enjoyed traveling to other nations with Jon and Carolyn such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and China. In 2010, Ginny joined a group of travelers to Ireland, where she truly enjoyed herself. Ginny could always count on adding at least one new friend.

She was ardent reader and loved the written word, to the extent that she had a wonderful resource library of books the she had collected through the years. She really enjoyed audio books and could be found listening to them
Ginny was a big game player. She loved all sorts of games.

She loved to put together jig saw puzzles and work crosswords.
Virginia loved her sons and was very proud of all their accomplishments. She loved her Daughter-in-laws and especially adored each of her 11 grandchildren. She treasured her family, “adopted” and surrogate family as well as many, many friends
Visitation will be at Gorsline Runciman DeWitt Chapel on Monday, December 19 from 2-4 and 6-8. Funeral Services will be December 20, at Central Free Methodist Church, 828 North Washington Ave, Lansing, MI. at noon with visitation one hour prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, Ginny and her family would request the donations be sent to: Virginia Jones Memorial Fund, Calvary Free Methodist Church, 828 North Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48906. Arrangements made by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, DeWitt Chapel.

REMEMBERING

Virginia "Ginny" Jones

Ellie

December 26, 2011

Jon,Your mother must have been an amazing woman. She raised such a wonderful son that I am blessed to have met. May memories of her keep you smiling, and tears provide you serenity through this difficult time. You are in my heart and I wish you and your family well.

Jon Stenberg

December 22, 2011

Thanks to all who have left messages. We miss mom terribly, but we are determined to have her spirit live on. She was bursting with life, and overflowing with love. Please share an extra laugh and an extra hug with someone you love.

Betsie Hundt

December 22, 2011

Mrs. Jones, you were a wonderful piano teacher and I am proud to have known you throughout my childhood. I thank God, almost everyday for allowing me to be able to play the piano, but it wouldn't have been possible without you. I am so blessed to have the memories from sitting on your lap when I was a little girl as you played the piano, going to your house every week, piano competitions, to piano recitals every June. Thank you for all you have done for me, and the rest of the world. May you rest in peace.

Judy Wernert

December 20, 2011

Dear Daniel, Jon, and Michael, and your families, Your mother was a wonderful piano teacher and will be greatly missed by us and all the DeWitt families who were blessed to know her. May your family be comforted in knowing how inspirational she was to our children, her students, and what a great influence she has had on their lives. She had a great love and appreciation for music and shared that in such a special way that it will have a lasting impact on my son for a very long time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families during this difficult time. Sincerely, Judy, Alan, and Nathan Wernert

John Rice

December 20, 2011

Dan,Jon & Mike Sorry I will not be able to be with youI will never forget all the fun times wehad. You guys are the greatest!

Kathy Eiferle

December 20, 2011

Mrs. Jones was a wonderful woman and we will miss her so much! She taught my daughter and so many others how to play piano and because of her, my daughter will forever love to play!

Lori Arrell

December 19, 2011

Jon, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your mother sounds like a wonderful person who left many amazing memories for everyone to cherish.

Lori Arrell

December 19, 2011

Jon, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Your mom sounds like an incredible woman and has left your family with many amazing memories to cherish.

Maureen Buckley

December 19, 2011

Jon,I was saddened to hear the news about your Mom and sorry that I am unable to be there with you and your family during this difficult time. Please know that you are in my thoughts. In passing on the sad news, I have asked our staff to keep you and your family in their prayers. As requested, I will be sending a donation to the Calgary Free Methodist Church in memory of your Mom, in hopes of providing a more lasting and meaningful memorial of a woman who obviously made a significant difference to many during her time on earth.

Maureen Buckley and your friends and colleagues at RiverSource Life of NY

John Woerner

December 19, 2011

Jon,

Our thoughts are with you and your family at this time.

John Woerner, and your Ameriprise and RiverSource colleagues

Tom Maki

December 19, 2011

Jon - I never met your mother but she sounded like a wonderful person. May your family take great comfort in the fantastic life she had and the gifts she provided to many during her lifetime. My prayers are with you...

Tom Maki

Kathy Dobie

December 19, 2011

My prayers are with your family during this difficult time. I so enjoyed knowing Ginny through the Lansing Area Emmaus Community. She was a talented and gifted musician. She and I did music together.and I was blessed to know her. Trust that Ginny is in a better place. Rest in peace, my friend.

Daniel Cummings

December 19, 2011

Ginny and I were classmates (Mason HS class of 56), but didn't know each other then. We met at the 50th reunion, exchanged reunion photos via email, and continued our correspondence for 5 years. She often gave good advice. My condolences to her family, friends, and students. We all miss her.

December 19, 2011

What a delight Ginny was whenever she stopped by for Sunday lunch. We would share sermon and music stories, laugh at antics - hers and others, share recipes, and remember the story of overspending and the remark "You didn't limit yourself???" Ah, what a fun lady.

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